Summer is here, and there is something about an ice pop that makes a hot day a-okay.  It harkens back to a time when we were kids and would hear that familiar ice cream truck song coming from a mile down the road.  We would instantly start hunting for change in the couch as fast as we could, or running around looking for our mom’s purse—all the while trying to figure out what we would choose. Even now when I hear that tune I immediately get excited and start looking around for loose change.

As we get older and transition into a healthier lifestyle, we tend to give up things like ice pops.  They are generally full of sugar, food coloring and empty calories. NOT TODAY FRIENDS!  With PURE products, I have discovered  ENDLESS possibilities for making a healthier version of the beloved ice pop.  It’s just what you need after an intense workout or maybe just a little something in the afternoon to get over that pre-dinner 4 p.m. hump. Give these recipes for fruit ice pops, protein-powder-based smoothie pops and a  “fudge-sicle” a try while temps outside go up. They’re so good (and healthy), you may even be tempted to have one for breakfast! 

Each of these recipes makes 8 ice pops in my mold, but feel free to adjust the measurements for the ones you have. (Amazon is a great place to find all kinds of molds.)

PURE ENERGY ICE POPS

INGREDIENTS

• 2 packets of PURE ENERGY powdered energy drink mix (flavor of your choice)
• 2 cups of distilled water

Any fruit of your choice, chopped (my personal fave is ENERGY Mixed Berry, adding blackberries*)

DIRECTIONS
Dissolve the powdered juice mix in the water and add to the ice pop molds.  Freeze for an hour or so and then add the chopped fruit.  Freeze for 8 hours or overnight.

360  CHOCOLATE VEGAN SHAKE “FUDGE-SICLES”

INGREDIENTS  (makes 8 ice pops in my mold)

• 1 can of full fat coconut milk (unsweetened)
• 1 ripe banana
• 6 tablespoons of PURE Vegan 360 Protein Shake
• 1/4 cup carob chips

DIRECTIONS
Blend all of the ingredients and pour into the ice pop molds. Freeze for 8 hours or overnight.

SMOOTHIE POPS

INGREDIENTS (Makes 8 pops in my ice molds)

• 1 ripe banana
• 1 can of full fat coconut milk (unsweetened)
• 1 scoop of PURE Vanilla Shake
• Any fruit of your choice (chopped)* or choc chips

Remember, creativity is key here! The combination of fruits, the different flavored ENERGY packets, the various types of milk, and the protein powders allow you to come up with dozens of flavor combos.

These are super fast to make—all you need is patience and a few ingredients. A few tips when you are making these:  When you freeze water it can taste a little different, so I highly recommend using distilled water if possible. Your ENERGY pops will turn out less cloudy and taste much better. I recommend using coconut milk because it freezes nicely (with fewer crystals), and gives you that creamy, milk-based texture.  So, there you have it. You get to feel like a kid again minus the any guilt. And not to worry…the smoothie recipes are kid-tested and highly approved!

*Note: I used frozen fruit. It gives a better texture and won’t brown while you’re waiting for the liquid to freeze.

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Hey guys!  Before I get started on giving you all my secrets, I thought I would take the time to introduce myself!  My name is Elizabeth aka BB Cooks.  I am an Advertising Art Director, by day, and a wanna be chef in every other minute of spare time I have. My boyfriend, Jason, and I live in Easton PA with his son (9), daughter (7) and a precious puppy (3). Needless to say, our lives are pretty crazy!  No matter how insane it is around here we always make time to sit and have dinner together.  Food is where we come together and share our stories, our problems, our wins and lots and lots of laughs.

I have 2 very good friends that work at PURE corporate and once they introduced me to the products they carry I felt my brain start churning with ideas and we decided this would be a great way for me to share my love for food and my passion healthy living!  Whole health is at the forefront of my cooking and I can’t wait to share how PURE products have influenced my recipes.

 

Follow my instagram @BB_Cooks where you can find all the recipes from this blog as well as tons more drool worthy creations from my little kitchen.